Blue Velvet Headshield Slug

Chelidonura varians

''Chelidonura varians'' is a species of small sea slug, a marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusc in the order Cephalaspidea, the headshield slugs.
Blue Velvet Slug - Chelidonura varians Blue Velvet Slug - Chelidonura varians is usually found in sandy areas and when there is one, there usually is plenty of them together in the same small area. In this picture, there are 2 of them, chasing each other's tail trying to get in position for some fun :D Anilao,Batangas,Blue Velvet Headshield Slug,Chelidonura varians,Geotagged,Philippines,Sea Slug,Slug,Winter

Appearance

This species has a maximum size of 70 mm.
The background color is deep black. The margin of the parapods and body are marked with a thin electric blue line. The two rather long "tails" at the end of the animal are characteristic of the genus ''Chelidonura'', the left one is always longer. They have also well-developed sensory cilia on the anterior edge of the head which are used to find the preys.

This species lives on reef areas in shallow water lagoons with sandy or muddy bottom until 30 m depth.
Blue velvet headshield slug Seen in Cabilao, Philippines (2012). Photo by Mark Bockstael (my husband). Is a headshield slug of the Aglajidae family. Up to 7 cm (2 3/4 in.). Black with bright blue line on head, margins of body and tail. Long, twin tapering tails of unequal length. Habitat: West Pacific to Solomon I. and Fiji. Chelidonura varians,Fall,Geotagged,Philippines

Distribution

This cephalaspidean is widespread in the tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific region.
Blue Velvet Headshield Slug The Blue Velver Headshield Slug - Chelidonura varians is also fondly called, Hammerhead Slug for the shape of its head. Blue Velvet Headshield Slug,Chelidonura varians,Geotagged,Philippines,Romblon,Sea Slug,Spring

Habitat

This species has a maximum size of 70 mm.
The background color is deep black. The margin of the parapods and body are marked with a thin electric blue line. The two rather long "tails" at the end of the animal are characteristic of the genus ''Chelidonura'', the left one is always longer. They have also well-developed sensory cilia on the anterior edge of the head which are used to find the preys.

This species lives on reef areas in shallow water lagoons with sandy or muddy bottom until 30 m depth.

Food

''Chelidonura varians'' feeds on flatworms and it is used in aquariums to eradicate small flat worm invasions.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionMollusca
ClassGastropoda
OrderCephalaspidea
FamilyAglajidae
GenusChelidonura
SpeciesC. varians
Photographed in
Philippines